Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News April 2023

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Arcadia/Mondovi Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Ashland/Iron River Brown Plmbg & HVAC (715) 682-0444

Beaver Dam/Green Lake Air Care, Inc. (920) 356-8860

Black River Falls/ Stevens Point Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

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Chaseburg/Viroqua Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 269-1500

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Clintonville/Oshkosh Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Cornell/New Auburn Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Dodgeville/Baraboo Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Eau Claire/Osseo Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Escanaba/Iron Mountain GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Green Bay/Onedia Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Hudson/Stillwater Geothermal Concept (612) 481-4020

Hurley/Park Falls QS Plmbing & Mechanical (715) 685-4330

Madison Black Earth Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Marinette/Peshtigo GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Marengo/Ashland QS Plmbing & Mechanical (715) 685-4330

Menomonie/Bloomer Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Neillsville/Medford Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

New Lisbon/Shamrock Deans Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Oconto/Rhinelander Van’s Refridgeration (920) 833-2051

Oseola/New Richmond Sustainable Htg & Clg (651) 462-1300

Princeton/Waupon All Phase Geothermal (920) 763-2301

Redwing/Wabash Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Richland Center/ Viroqua Strang’s Htg Electric Plmb (608) 647-2855

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Sturgeon Bay/Denmark Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Tomah/Oakdale

Dean’s Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Wasau/Rhinelander Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Westby/La Crosse Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 654-5522

Winona/Pepin Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Wisconsin Rapids/ Marshfield

Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsin’s non-pro t, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to nonmembers for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year.

Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703.

Steve Freese, president & CEO.

USPS number: 688-480.

Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703.

Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.

Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Phone (608) 467-4650.

Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com.

Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18.

Steve Freese WECA president & CEO

Dana Kelroy editor

Mary Erickson associate editor

Julie Lund contributing writer

Ann Bailey graphic designer

Geri Miller advertising consultant

Jennifer Taylor editorial assistant

For advertising opportunities please email geri@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising or events does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers.

i-Rate Changes

Alex

Eau Claire Energy Co-op in action. Glomski was just one of many lineworkers who responded to CWEC’s call for help from other co-ops after a June storm.

SYMBOL SEARCH

HIDDEN OBJECT GAME

Our March Symbol Search winner is Scott Schalinske, a member of Taylor Electric Cooperative. “It must be my lucky day, and I’m not Irish... It’s on page 31, picture number 3, back cover of the book. Enjoy looking for the symbol search every month,” said Scott.

This month, we challenge you to nd this lemon in honor of the lemon recipes starting on page 20. HINT: The lemon needs to look exactly like the lemon above. Remember that the symbol can be anywhere and any size. One randomly selected winner will receive a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit. One entry per household, please, and provide your permanent home or mailing address with your entry. Send entries by April 13.

Enter

You can also enter by mail (don’t forget to include the name of your cooperative): SYMBOL

222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703

Good luck!

FRIENDLY FACES

Every April, we ask the employees at your local co-ops to submit photos of lineworkers in action for our cover. Bert Lehman from Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative in Rosholt submitted our winner this year. It’s a great shot that shows one of our lineworkers in action, doing what they do best—keeping power owing safely and professionally.

I noticed something about our two uno cial honorable mention photos above, though. In both the photo from Eau Claire Energy Cooperative and Oakdale Electric Cooperative, all three lineworkers look pretty darn happy.

This reinforces the comments we receive from readers. Often in your Symbol Search submissions, you’ll include a short anecdote about interactions with co-op employees, be it lineworkers or other employees in the eld or o ce sta at the co-op headquarters. We hear about co-op employees who’ve gone above and beyond for their members, restored power in awful conditions without complaint, or stopped to have a friendly chat while going about their work.

So, hats o to all the friendly faces at our Wisconsin electric co-ops. Thank you for all you do.

Editor’s note: THANK YOU to our readers for the overwhelming response to my column from last month. We asked for your help on behalf of Bob, who was looking for more information about Bry, a recipe he remembered from years ago. We’ve included some of the information you sent on page 23.

Dana Kelroy Editor

Left to right: Bob Henrichs uses his sel e skills with Milt Schmidt smiling in the bucket behind him; both are from Eau Claire Energy Cooperative. Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s Dalton Linzmeier is also all smiles in the bucket. Photos courtesy of Bob Henrichs, ECEC, and Jackie McGlin, OEC.

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Co-ops Adopt Hydro Resolution

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) held its PowerXchange 2023 annual meeting last month in Nashville. During the business meeting, voting delegates approved a resolution urging federal agencies to study the potential for development of hydro-electric power on the Mississippi River, which the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) proposed.

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services Board Director Ed Hass spearheaded the effort, saying hydro is a premier clean energy resource, as it is carbonfree, and does not have the reliability, waste disposal, or carbon emissions challenges of other energy generation sources.

The final resolution reads: We support legislative and regulatory initiatives which promote the development and implementation of technologies to generate hydro-electric power through the existing lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. We support legislative and regulatory initiatives that enable funding for research and development, technical design, and for upgrading existing and new dam and pump storage hydropower facilities that incorporate low-head capacity hydro-electric power generation.

WECA President and CEO Steve Freese (pictured) spoke in support of the resolution. The membership voted 582–39 to adopt.

PAC Gets New Name

NRECA announced a rebranding of its political action committee, previously known as ACRE, or Action Committee for Rural Electrification. The new name

is America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC.

NRECA made the change because it said today’s policymakers do not make the connection between ACRE contributions and the electric coops that support the PAC. NRECA first established ACRE 56 years ago to support political candidates who “speak for the interests of electric coops and their consumer-members.”

Dairyland Rep Testi es Before House Committee

John Carr, vice president of strategic growth at Dairyland Power Cooperative, was among those who testified during a three-hour House Natural Resources Committee hearing on “The Builder Act” on Tuesday, February 28 in the Washington, D.C. Introduced by Representative Garrett Graves (R-Louisiana), the proposal seeks to make the process of permitting energy infrastructure projects more efficient and timelier.

Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Arizona) opened the hearing summarizing the critical need for permitting reform and cited delays with the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line as example.

Carr testified about delays in both the transmission project, as well as the stalled Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC), saying, “Dairyland and other electric co-ops support the appropriate consideration of potential environmental impacts of energy projects during the permitting process, but the existing process impedes our ability to deploy clean energy to meet the current and future needs of our consumers and communities. We simply must reform the process to enable the transition that is already underway and to ensure it can be done reliably and affordably for our customers.”

Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin) introduced Carr and said, “Electric co-ops are the backbone of reliable power in rural America, especially Wisconsin, and ensuring

that these systems are able to be upgraded in a timely and efficient manner is critical for millions of Americans.”

Grid Attacks Up 71% in 2022

Physical attacks on the U.S. power grid were up 71% last year, compared to 2021, and experts predict the assaults will continue to rise.

According to a report by the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC), a division of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), “the recent uptick in serious physical security incidents is likely to continue into 2023 based on the number and nature of recent attacks combined with the overall current heightened threat environment.”

The attacks range from vandalism to damage due to firearms.

Strand Replaces Nowak on Commision

Governor Tony Evers appointed Summer Strand to serve on the threemember Public Service Commission (PSC), replacing Ellen Nowak whose term ended March 1. Nowak, a Walker appointee, served on the Commission since July of 2011.

Strand comes to the PSC from the Walbec Group, a construction and engineering company, where she was the director of government affairs. She also serves on the State of Wisconsin Building Commission (SBC).

Strand was previously administrator of the Division of Facilities Development at the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and served as chief of staff to State Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee). With Nowak’s departure, all three members of the state executive regulatory board are Democratic governor appointees. Members of the PSC makes key decisions related to the energy industry and serve six-year terms.

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CONTACT YOUR COOPERATIVE BEFORE MAKING THE CALL ON SOLAR

contacting your local electric cooperative before you sign any solar contract may benefit you. While your cooperative may not know all the solar companies operating in Wisconsin, practicing due diligence by contacting them first could save you time and money.

Steve Freese President and CEO

Istopped at a Kwik Trip recently to fill up, and on their monitor popped up the “word of the day”— due diligence. I was thinking about the Public Service Commission’s recent action on third-party solar ownership at the time. This moment reinforced the importance of due diligence when considering a contract with a solar provider. The Cambridge dictionary defines due diligence as “the action that is considered reasonable for people to take in order to keep themselves or others and their property safe” or “research and analysis of a company or organization done in preparation for a business transaction.” However you pursue due diligence in your daily life, it is crucial to practice it if you are a prospective buyer of solar power for your home or business.

Unfortunately, the importance of due diligence continues to be showcased in the news, with Wisconsin Public Radio reporting in February on dozens of Sun Badger Solar customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota being left hung out to dry on solar installations that were poorly installed or never happened at all, leaving many customers worried about their investments. In addition, Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reports at least 50 complaints have been filed against Sun Badger Solar.

A similar situation happened last December when Cedar Rapids station KCRG-TV9 reported on the Iowa Attorney General’s Office investigating around 110 complaints against Moxie Solar after it abruptly closed its doors, leaving customers with unfulfilled contracts and substantial financial losses. Even cooperative consumer-members in Wisconsin got financially burned when Moxie defaulted on contracts.

While there is an accelerating number of examples where unscrupulous and disreputable solar business entities are out to make a quick buck with very aggressive marketing tactics, there are also many reputable companies with established, ethical business practices. This is where doing your due diligence by

This might be best illustrated by an incident a cooperative manager recently told me about. A member contracted for a ground-mounted solar array and thought they were dealing with a reputable and professional company. After the array was installed, the cooperative’s master electrician did a visual inspection and found 11 National Electric Code (NEC) violations and multiple other issues with the general installation of the array and associated equipment. The company finally corrected all the NEC violations after two additional visits, but one of the violations would have likely resulted in a damaged inverter. Nevertheless, the member was very appreciative of the work that the cooperative did on his behalf.

In recent months we’ve used this column to warn you about third-party ownership and “community solar” programs that are being pushed both at the Public Service Commission and in the legislature. Our concern stems from the lack of thought and desire to have the proper and necessary consumer protections in place to protect our consumer members— you. All electric cooperatives have distributed energy programs in place to connect solar systems to the grid. These programs help protect your home and your investment. You deserve that same kind of assurance when you sign a long-term contract with a solar installer.

When it comes to solar planning and interconnecting, your local electric cooperative can be a responsible partner in helping to look out for your interest because you are a member and owner of the cooperative. Please consider discussing your installation plans with your electric co-op well before any work commences to understand what will be required before your solar array can be interconnected to its electric system. Solar could very well be the right thing for your home or business, but a little bit of due diligence on your part in the planning process and asking the right questions upfront could help make it a safer investment for many years to come. For more info, search “DATCP, solar buying tips” online.

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i-RATE CHANGES

In 2017, eggs cost $1.47 per dozen, a gallon of gas in Wisconsin was $2.36, and the average cost of a new vehicle was $36,113 (a record high at the time). As of January 2023, according to the Consumer Price Index, eggs cost $4.82 per dozen. AAA Wisconsin reports the average price for a gallon of gas last month was $3.22. And according to Kelley Blue Book, the average new vehicle in December of 2022 cost nearly $50,000. It’s no surprise that many Wisconsinites are feeling the consequences of higher costs, and the last thing they want is an increase in their electric bill.

“Our co-ops serve mainly rural areas, including many people on fixed incomes who can illafford more increased costs,” said Steve Freese, Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) president and CEO. “This is a good time to be a member of an electric co-op, where funds pay for operations, not profits.”

The year 2017 was also the last time Clark

Electric Cooperative implemented a rate change. Electric cooperatives, governed by members, are not-for-profit entities that work to adhere to members’ needs. Driven by community oversight, co-ops operate as efficiently as possible, return extra funds to the member-owners, and seek costcutting measures before considering rate changes or fee increases. As a result, all of Wisconsin’s electric co-ops have worked to avoid passing mounting cost increases on to members, many, like Clark Electric, going years without rate changes—until now.

“Almost every segment of the electric industry has been dramatically affected by supply-chain, regulatory, and inflationary pressures,” Tim Stewart, Clark Electric CEO and general manager explained. “We are seeing lead times extend and prices escalate. We have seen dramatic increases in material costs that include a doubling of transformer costs, over 30% increase in cable costs, 57% in pole costs, and 90% increase in conduit costs.”

After holding steady for six years without rate changes, as of March 1, 2023, Clark Electric raised its base facility charge by $6 per month, increasing revenues by 2.81%, and they are not alone. Almost every Wisconsin electric cooperative has exhausted other cost-cutting measures and is now looking to

raise revenue through rate changes if it hasn’t already.

“It’s the last thing co-ops want to do, but they know members depend on them for reliable energy, including prompt power restoration after storms like the one we had in late December,” Freese said. “It’s a careful balance between frugality and maintaining an operation that ensures reliability.”

Another key factor affecting residential electric bills is the increasing cost of wholesale power, the single largest expense for electric cooperatives by far.

“In 2022, we saw our power cost increase 6.6% from 2021. We are expecting a continued increase in 2023,” Stewart said.

This cost is often partially offset by a fluctuating power cost adjustment (PCA) on member bills, but co-ops also work to minimize that.

“To offset the power cost adjustment to members, the board approved to utilize $400,000 from a fund that was set aside for future rate relief, such as the PCA,” said Oakdale CEO and General Manager Chris Tackmann. “So given the example of 1,000 kWh per month, the member saw a $10.82 PCA instead of $24.60.” Oakdale did not increase rates or fees this year, but Tackmann expects there will be an increase in 2024.

Last year, Vernon Electric Cooperative was able to absorb $250,000 in increased wholesale power costs, but not this year. So, like Clark, Vernon is now increasing its facility charge by $6, which equates to a 3.7% increase in revenue.

“Due to the signifi cant cost of materials, raising the base facility charge for each rate class was the

fairest way to meet the needs of the budget,” Craig Buros, CEO and general manager of Vernon Electric, explained. “The monthly facility charge covers your share of expenses to purchase, build, and maintain power lines, substations, and equipment to ensure the availability of power on your property. All members pay this basic electric charge for each electric account each month, regardless of energy used, therefore sharing the cost of the electric system.”

While no one likes to pay more for their electric bill, co-op members have reason to be a little less “i-rate,” as the increases co-ops seek are generally nominal compared to energy price hikes nationwide and Wisconsin investor-owned utility increases. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity prices increased 3.8% in 2021, 10.7% in 2022, and another expected 3.2% increase in 2023.

Wisconsin’s largest investorowned utilities have raised rates, sometimes by double digits. In December 2022, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a rate hike of 11% for We Energies residential customers and a 9% rate increase for Wisconsin Public Service, less than the utilities requested. Alliant Energy implemented a 6.8% increase effective January 1, 2023. And they’re not done.

Tom Content, executive director for Wisconsin’s Citizens Utility Board, recently warned, “Our expectation is that all five (investor-owned) utilities will be back in front of the PSC, looking for increases that would take effect in January 2024.”

While pandemic-related supply-chain issues, labor market challenges, cost of materials, and wholesale power prices are critical drivers of cost increases, policyrelated issues are also factors.

Both Alliant Energy, which sells wholesale power to some Wisconsin co-ops, and We Energy Group cited clean energy investments in their rate increase requests to the PSC. For example, Alliant said it needed a rate hike to cover the cost of investing nearly $1 billion in solar generation to replace two coal-fired plants. We Energy Group, the parent company of We Energies and WPS, said the increases were needed in part to fund their transition to solar and other renewable energy resources. However, they expect the investments to save money in the long run.

“We are living in a world where we are moving away from reliable and predictable generation to more intermittent sources. The cost of energy will follow the basic laws of supply and demand,”

“Our co-ops serve mainly rural areas, including many people on xed incomes who can ill a ord more increased costs. This is a good time to be a member of an electric co-op, where funds pay for operations, not pro ts.”

said Nate Boettcher, president and CEO of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, which has so far managed increased costs with a lower budgeted margin and by utilizing deferred revenue.

In allowing We Energies and WPS to raise rates, the PSC ordered them to reduce profit margins from 10% to 9.8%, or $46 million over two years. Electric cooperatives members don’t pay shareholder profits, as co-ops are not-for-profit. However, co-op operating costs are higher, as they serve mainly rural areas, with more miles of lines to build and service between accounts.

For co-op members facing higher electric bills while already struggling with cost increases seemingly at every turn, co-op leaders want them to know—they get it.

“We completely understand that inflation has had an impact on every member of our cooperative,” said Jesse Singerhouse, general manager and CEO of Dunn Energy Cooperative, which had a rate change on January 1, 2023. “I want our members to know that we are doing everything we can to keep costs in line and still deliver reliable power to their home, farm, or business. Since we are a cooperative, our mission is our members, so we will keep focusing on them and do our best to minimize rate increases. And we’re here to help if you need it. We offer energy audits, rebates on more efficient appliances, and budget billing to help level your energy bills. We can also direct you to energy assistance programs. We serve our community—our friends and neighbors—and we are here for you.”—Julie Lund

“It’s a careful balance between frugality and maintaining an operation that ensures reliability.”

Image courtesy of NRECA

AMERICA’S FUEL MIX IS CHANGING

SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY CALL FOR NEW WAYS TO MANAGE THE FLOW OF ELECTRICITY.

Renewable energy is big news. A road trip through the Midwest will likely take you through acres and acres of wind turbines and solar panels.

In 2021, a record amount of utility-scale solar was installed in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wind turbine service technician will be the second-fastest growing job for the rest of this decade. The proportion of solar and wind that fuels your electricity quadrupled in the past 10 years.

So, why is less than 10% of electricity generated from wind? And less than 3% from solar power? The answer will teach you

a little something about math––and a lot about how you get your electricity.

Electricity is generated by a variety of fuel sources—natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydroelectricity, wind, and solar. And this diverse mix of fuels is going through a major change.

What it teaches you about math is that a large increase in a small number still leaves you with a small number. If you’ve got a dollar and it triples, you are left with just $3. In the same way, wind and solar energy have grown from nearly nothing about 10 years ago.

It’s certainly big news that in the last decade wind power has more

than tripled, from generating about 100 billion kilowatt-hours of our electricity to 378 billion kwh. And that solar energy has climbed from nearly zero, to 115 billion kwh.

But those impressive increases still leave renewable energy’s share of electricity generation far behind natural gas, at 1,579 billion kwh. Or coal, at nearly 900 billion kwh. Or nuclear, at nearly 800 billion kwh.

The story those numbers tell is that fossil fuels like coal and natural gas still generate most of our electricity—61%. But another part of that story is that our electricity fuel mix is being reshaped in two profound ways.

Coal is no longer king.

In the 1990s, coal generated more than half the electricity in the United States. Then a new natural gas drilling technique called “fracking” was so successful that by 2012, natural gas supplies soared to all-time highs, driving prices to 10-year lows. In addition

to that cost competition from natural gas, environmental concerns put even more pressure on coal. While both coal and natural gas generation produces greenhouse gases, natural gas produces less. Utilities began running their efficient combined-cycle natural gas plants more and building new ones, even as many coal plants were run less or retired completely. Today, natural gas produces 38% of our electricity compared with coal’s 22%— less than half of what it was 30 years ago.

Renewables are not just new, they’re di erent.

The rise of solar and wind power means more than just two more significant sources in the electricity fuel mix. Today, 80% of our electricity is generated by heating water that turns a turbine. Coal and natural gas are burned, and even nuclear power, which provides 19% of our electricity, works by heating water. Those heat-based sources are dispatchable, meaning they can run 24/7 and adjust their output as electricity demand fluctuates. Solar and wind, on the other hand, work only when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. As those intermittent sources become a bigger share of how we get our electricity, electric utilities are developing new ways to coordinate the flow of

energy sources that have different characteristics.

A more diverse fuel mix calls for new approaches to the most basic function of electric utilities, which is keeping the lights on. One way utilities are managing these new power sources is through high-tech information analysis— utilities are increasingly hiring for a new job title, data scientist, a job the Bureau of Labor Statistics says will grow much faster than the average job for the rest of this decade.

There are likely to be more such changes as renewable energy is predicted to be the fastest growing electricity fuel for the next 25 years.

Paul Wesslund writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

It was a perfect late autumn day in the northern Rockies. Not a cloud in the sky, and just enough cool in the air to stir up nostalgic memories of my trip into the backwoods. is year, though, was di erent. I was going it solo. My two buddies, pleading work responsibilities, backed out at the last minute. So, armed with my trusty knife, I set out for adventure.

Well, what I found was a whole lot of trouble. As in 8 feet and 800-pounds of trouble in the form of a grizzly bear. Seems this grumpy fella was out looking for some adventure too. Mr. Grizzly saw me, stood up to his entire 8 feet of ferocity and let out a roar that made my blood turn to ice and my hair stand up. Unsnapping my leather sheath, I felt for my hefty, trusty knife and felt emboldened. I then showed the massive grizzly over 6 inches of 420 surgical grade stainless steel, raised my hands and yelled, “Whoa bear! Whoa bear!” I must have made my point, as he gave me an almost admiring grunt before turning tail and heading back into the woods.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars FREE when you purchase the Grizzly Hunting Knife. Make sure to act quickly. The Grizzly Hunting Knife has been such a hit that we’re having trouble keeping it in stock. Our first release of more than 1,200 SOLD OUT in TWO DAYS! After months of waiting on our artisans, we've finally gotten some knives back in stock. Only 1,337 are available at this price, and half of them have already sold!

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I was pretty shaken, but otherwise ne. Once the adrenaline high subsided, I decided I had some work to do back home too. at was more than enough adventure for one day.

Our Grizzly Hunting Knife pays tribute to the call of the wild. Featuring stick-tang construction, you can feel con dent in the strength and durability of this knife. And the hand carved, natural bone handle ensures you won’t lose your grip even in the most dire of circumstances. I also made certain to give it a great price. After all, you should be able to get your point across without getting stuck with a high price.

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Your

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU

LEM NS

Lemon Thyme

Marinated Mushrooms

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mushroom Council via Shaina of the ‘Food for My Family’ blog.

1 lb cremini or button mushrooms

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 lemon, juiced and zested

1 clove garlic, minced

1 small shallot, minced

1 Tbsp fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems and minced

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp crushed black peppercorns

Rinse and remove the stems from the mushrooms. Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the mushrooms, and simmer for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse mushrooms with cold water. Set on a towel to dry.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice and zest, garlic, shallot, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add in the mushrooms. Place in a sealed container in the refrigerator overnight.

Serve alone with marinade or with other antipasti.

Bread Pudding with Lemon Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the Home Baking Association via the North Dakota Wheat Commission.

Comforting is the best way to describe this delicious, avorful bread pudding. Topped with a drizzle of tangy lemon sauce o ers a citrus zing that nishes and elevates this bread pudding!

LEMON SAUCE

1 cup water

1/3 cup granulated sugar

4 tsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp butter or margarine

1/2 tsp grated lemon peel

1-1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/8 tsp salt

Combine water, sugar, and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until thick, stirring constantly. Remove sauce from heat and stir in butter, lemon peel, juice, and salt.

BREAD PUDDING

2-1/2 cups skim milk

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

3 eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

6 cups soft bread cubes (1/2-inch)

3/4 cup seedless raisins

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray or grease a

9-x 9-inch baking dish, set aside. Combine milk and butter in medium saucepan, heat until tiny bubbles form at edge of the liquid and butter melts. In medium bowl, beat eggs. Add heated milk, sugars, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in bread cubes and raisins. Pour into a prepared baking dish. Place baking dish in a pan of 1-inch deep hot water. Bake for 50–55 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean. Serve warm with Lemon Sauce.

Gorgonzola Lemon Rice

Recipe courtesy of USA Rice.

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups fresh mushrooms, coarsely chopped

1 (4 oz) pkg Gorgonzola cheese crumbles

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

3 cups cooked rice

2 cups lightly-packed spinach leaves

2 tsp lemon zest

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until soft, approx. 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in cheese and continue to stir frequently until cheese melts, approx. 3 minutes. Stir in cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir in rice and heat until hot, approx. 5 minutes. Toss in spinach just before serving. Garnish with lemon zest.

Rosemary Lemon Turkey Steaks

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Turkey Federation. A simple marinade locks in major avor in this recipe for Rosemary Lemon Turkey Steaks. Turkey cutlets, chops, or steaks would all work well in this dish. It will feed a crowd, so cut the recipe in half or thirds to best suit your meal.

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

2/3 cup dry sherry

2-1/2 oz chopped scallions

1/4 oz fresh rosemary, chopped

2/3 cup Dijon mustard

3/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup canola oil

5 lbs (20 four oz) turkey steaks, chops, or cutlets

Combine lemon juice, sherry, scallions, rosemary, Dijon, salt, and pepper and mix until well blended. Slowly whisk in canola oil, beating until well blended and thick. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade. Place turkey steaks into marinade. Cover and let marinate in refrigerator overnight. Carefully remove turkey and drain off the marinade. Bake turkey steaks in a preheated 325-degree oven or broil/grill 4 to 5 inches from the heat source until brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Brush turkey with 1/4 cup reserved marinade several times during cooking. Serve on a bed of hot risotto or rice. Garnish with lemon twist. Serves 20.

READER RECIPES

BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH MAPLE SYRUP

RECIPE COURTESY OF MARY KOLODZIEJ, STEVENS POINT

2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil

16–20 oz brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

An online reader is looking for sh recipes that aren’t deep fried.

SEND TO: WECN, Reader Recipes, 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703-2719 or jennifer@weca.coop.

Salt and pepper, to taste

3 Tbsp butter

4 tsp brown sugar

3 Tbsp maple syrup

3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 cup pecan halves, toasted

In a saucepan on mediumhigh, heat oil and place sprouts cut-side down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté approx. 1–2 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, move the sprouts but allow them to continue to be cut side down. Add butter and brown sugar and continue to sauté an additional 2 minutes. Add maple syrup and vinegar and continue to sauté 7 more minutes until sprouts are crisp tender. Remove sprouts and allow the sauce to reduce until it thickens a bit. Return sprouts to pan and stir in toasted pecans; serve.

Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop or submit directly at http://wecnmagazine.com/submit-a-recipe/. Due to food safety issues, we cannot accept canning recipes.

CHICKEN SALAD

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

DRESSING

2 cups mayonnaise (such as Hellman’s)

2 tsp soy sauce

2 tsp lemon juice, fresh or concentrate

1 tsp curry powder or to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to add to salad.

SALAD

6 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (approx. 4 cups)

2 (8 oz) cans water chestnuts, drained and chopped

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup slivered or sliced almonds

8 oz green or red grapes, halved

1 (15.25 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained

Mix chicken, water chestnuts, celery, and almonds together, and add dressing. Mix well. Distribute grapes and pineapple on top and do not mix in until ready to serve.

PASTA SALAD WITH RAMP DRESSING RECIPE COURTESY OF KAREN VICK, ONALASKA

Ramps are similar-looking to a green onion, only the leaves are more broad, they are shorter, and often have some purple coloring on the stem. Often found in April, May, and June, they are more potent in avor than leeks or scallions, and have a de nite garlic avor. Used in salads, pesto, rice, pasta, and potato dishes.

SALAD

1 lb cooked pasta

3 cups cooked salmon or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces

Prepare pasta and salmon or chicken in advance, and cool to room temperature or refrigerate until needed; combine.

DRESSING

1 Tbsp oregano

2 tsp thyme

1/3 cup fresh parsley

10 ramps, cut into 1-inch pieces (including white and green parts), cleaned with roots removed

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Place all dressing ingredients into a food processor and pulse until desired consistency for a salad dressing. If too thick, add extra olive oil. Add dressing to prepared pasta salad. Refrigerate several hours; serve cold. Serves 6.

HALLMARK BEANS

RECIPE COURTESY OF CHRIS ODEEN

“This used to be a boxed product with par-boiled, dried beans, that came…like a…macaroni-and-cheese box with a recipe on the back…that was truly delicious. I don’t know when that product ceased to be produced, but my grandmother had the recipe she’d copied from the back of a box, and here it is (from one 9-1/2 oz box):

1 pkg (approx. 2 cups) precooked beans (i.e., Navy or Great Northern beans)

1/4 lb salt pork or bacon, sliced

3-1/2 cups boiling water

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

2 Tbsp brown sugar

4 Tbsp (approx. 1/4 cup) molasses

1/4 cup catsup

2 Tbsp chopped onion

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place beans in baking dish or bean pot. Brown salt pork or bacon thoroughly; add boiling water. Combine remaining ingredients and add to water and pork mixture. Pour over beans. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, stir well, and bake 15 minutes longer. NOTE: In Grandma’s notes, she used 1 pound of dried navy beans, soaked overnight with enough water to cover them by a couple of inches. She put the soaked beans, cooked meat, and remaining ingredients in a slow cooker and cooked on LOW until done—she mentions that for 1 pound of dried navy beans she did double the other ingredients.

Solving the “Bry” Mystery

In our March magazine, we shared this letter from a reader, Bob: This is going to be a hard one for you. I’ve been looking for a recipe for Bry. BRY. It’s made from the rendered fat from pigs. My dad made it years ago. Along with my dad, went the recipe or where could I get some?

A number of readers suggested that what Bob is describing is “cracklings.” Allen Blazek surmised, “Not sure what Bry is, but could it be something like cracklings. Cracklings are the byproduct of rendering lard and is the tissue remaining from the fat that is deep-fried during the rendering process. This is done in the butchering process when you scald the pig with skin on and then scrape the hair off (which now days the skin is pulled off in the butchering process). When you render the lard, you drain it though a cheese cloth and the pieces remaining are called cracklings. Just enjoyed eating fresh. No recipe that I know of. Not sure if this is what he is looking for, and maybe it is.”

Lanette Casper also thought that maybe Bob was referring to cracklings, but her family added buckwheat flour and put dark Karo syrup on it. They referred to it as “Bulk-a-Bry.”

Blossom Vanderbush believes bry is actually spelled “brei” and has Dutch origins. She shared the recipe below, at left, from “The Vis Sisters Cookbook.” Mark Rollo sent in his grandmother’s “Brye” recipe on the right. Other readers thought that perhaps what Bob was looking for had South African origins. Watch the reader recipes page in future issues for more “Bry” recipes!

Balken Brei

2 lbs pork

2 lbs beef

Approximately 4 cups cracklings

Approximately 5 cups buckwheat flour

Salt Pepper

Nutmeg Allspice Cloves

Cook pork and beef in 1 gallon of water until done. Save broth. Cool. Grind meats. Add cracklings to the broth. Bring to boil and add spices as suited to your taste. Sift in flour and stir in slowly one cup at a time. This mixture needs to be very thick. When well mixed and cooked through, pour into greased loaf or cake pans. Refrigerate.

When cold, cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Fry in greased skillet. Brown both sides. Eat warm with dark Karo syrup.

Note from the Vis Sisters: Mom contributed this recipe. It was an old Dutch recipe used often by our Grandmother Winnie Vis. I found Hormel cracklings in my meat sections of the grocery store. Grandma Vis would use tongue, liver and other meat, but it also works well with hamburger and sausage.

Source: The Vis Sisters Cookbook

Brye Recipe

Mix Together:

9 cups of water

½ stick of salted butter

1 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp pepper

Boil all 4 ingredients together then take off the burner. Add:

5 lbs of buckwheat flour

2 cups of bacon or side pork cracklings (make sure cracklings pieces are not too big). You can also add the left-over grease for more flavor if you wish.

Mix together until you have a good, doughy consistency. Place the Byre into loaf pans only ½ full and let them set at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Once the loaves are done setting at room temperature for 2-3 hours take them out of the pans and wrap them with dry paper towel and place them into refrigerator. Now you can enjoy!

Source: Mark Rollo

OBSERVING EARTH DAY

GLOBAL DAY OF RECOGNITION HAS ROOTS IN WISCONSIN

At this time of year—April 22, to be exact—people from all over the world unite in recognition of Earth Day, an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental conservation movement and raises awareness of the need to protect the Earth’s natural resources. While there may be differing opinions on the most effective and practical ways to meet that need, Earth Day brings people of all different persuasions together on common ground—the very ground (and water, and air, and everything else Mother Earth provides) we all share.

Wisconsinites can be extra proud of this global movement as its seeds were planted by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, a conservationist and two-term governor of the Dairy State who came to be known as the father of Earth Day.

In 1969, Nelson was a junior U.S. senator who, inspired by the student anti-war movement, announced the idea for a “teach-in” on college campuses to raise the public’s consciousness about air and water pollution. He teamed with Republican Congressman Pete McCloskey from California to co-chair the effort, and they recruited a young activist named Denis Hayes to organize the campus teach-ins, strategically choosing a day between Spring Break and final exams—April 22—for maximum student participation.

Recognizing that this effort had appeal beyond college campuses, the founders changed the name of the event to Earth Day and encouraged activities and demonstrations across the country. Earth Day quickly caught on with a number of different groups that had been working independently to bring attention to various environmental concerns, uniting them in their shared common values.

That first Earth Day celebration in 1970, launched with bipartisan support, led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other environmental and conservation laws. The movement continued to grow, becoming global in 1990 and prompting President Bill Clinton to award Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 for his role as Earth Day founder.

Perhaps one of the most enduring appeals of Earth Day is that despite its worldwide presence and larger legislative goals, the spirit of the day can be captured in small actions taken right at home, whether it’s picking up roadside trash, bringing reusable grocery bags to the store, or walking or biking instead of driving whenever possible.

A great way to honor Earth Day—not just on April 22 but all year long—is to visit state parks and nature reserves that are managed to protect natural habitat and ecological conditions and features. Here are a couple of nature reserves located within electric cooperative service territory that host special Earth Day activities that are open to the public.

Beaver Creek Reserve

Bordered by the Eau Claire River and two trout streams, Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR) is located in Fall Creek, on Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s

lines. It encompasses more than 400 acres of diverse habitat including upland woods, river-bottom forests, wetlands, and savannah areas.

BCR has multiple facilities where visitors can learn about the nature that’s protected here, including nine miles of hiking trails, a Discovery Room filled with hands-on exhibits, a Butterfly House where summer visitors can see some of Wisconsin’s native butterflies up close, and an observatory where members of the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society host public viewing on clear Saturday evenings once a month.

In addition, BCR offers a full schedule of camps, programs, and other special seasonal activities, including its annual Earth Day observance. This year, the reserve is expanding its Earth Day format in an effort to maximize community impact. Special programs and activities will be held throughout April as part of BCR’s new Earth Day Every Day campaign, sponsored by local businesses and organizations, including Eau Claire Energy Cooperative.

Special programs will cover topics such as sustainable living practices including composting, recycling, and homesteading; learning to identify and stop the spread of invasive plant and animal species; preparing a pollinatorfriendly garden; and foraging for wild

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Earth Day activities at Beaver Creek Reserve are suitable for all ages. Opposite page, Visitors enjoy an Earth Day walk through the woods. Above left: Guests participate in Pollinator Run/Walk. Photos courtesy of Beaver Creek Reserve

Above center and right: Volunteers remove mustard garlic from the landscape at Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Photos courtesy of Kickapoo Valley Reserve

Clear Lake Museum pays tribute to native son Gaylord Nelson

The northwest Wisconsin Village of Clear Lake has everything its name implies: crystal-clear bodies of water, thickly wooded parks, endless varieties of wild ora and fauna. Given the bountiful natural resources that characterize this rural community, it seems only natural that one of its native residents would grow up to become a renowned conservationist and the founder of Earth Day.

Former U.S. Senator and two-term Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson grew up in Clear Lake, and the community preserves and celebrates this special heritage with pride. Among the village’s most popular attractions is the Clear Lake Area Historical Museum, which is largely dedicated to Nelson. Exhibits are lled with memorabilia from Nelson’s early years in Clear Lake through his rise to political prominence.

Not surprisingly, Earth Day has special meaning in this community. School children actively engage in Earth Day activities, and public celebrations have often included exhibits and events held at the community center, which is the former high school that Nelson once attended. This year, Clear Lake’s Earth Day celebration is a combination community/school event, focused on service projects that students will engage in throughout the community.

Among those projects will be helping to revamp the exhibits at the Clear Lake Area Historical Museum. Plans call for the newly retooled museum to be o cially unveiled at the community’s Heritage Days celebration, held annually the last weekend in June (this year June 22–25). Hours of operation for the summer are pending; check the Clear Lake Historical Museum on Facebook for times.

“natural” paint class for kids, using naturally pigmented colors. On Earth Day itself, BCR is hosting an Earth Day Walk. On this self-guided hike through the reserve, participants will learn about pollinators and native plants and make a sustainable seed starting kit of native plant seeds to take home.

At the end of each Earth Day event, prizes will be raffled off. Registration is required for Every Day Earth Day activities; some programs have a modest fee. Learn more by visiting beavercreekreserve.org or calling 715-877-2212. Beaver Creek Reserve is located at S1 County Road K, Fall Creek, WI 54742.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Located in the state’s Driftless Area, on Vernon Electric Cooperative’s lines, is the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR). This 8,600-acre stretch of land is located near La Farge alongside Wildcat Mountain State Park, with the Kickapoo River winding through. The stunning topography here is defined by the hills, valleys, and rocky cliffs that are characteristic of the region’s unglaciated area. There are also thick hardwood tree stands, wetlands, and open areas that were once agricultural fields.

Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant at KVR, with 55 trail segments accommodating a wide range of activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, and snowshoeing. Special events and educational workshops are held throughout the year at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, with its newly redesigned Discover Center filled with hands-on displays and exhibits.

Among those special events is the annual Earth Day

Celebration, which in the past has featured a day of volunteer roadside cleanup. Roadside cleanup is still a big part of KVR’s 2023 Earth Day program, but this year’s celebration has been expanded to include a weeklong stewardship event focusing on removing garlic mustard—an invasive species—from the landscape.

The event will kick off on April 14—the Saturday prior to Earth Day—with roadside cleanup and a Driftless Dialogue program about tracking invasive species in Vernon County. Guests will learn about the threat garlic mustard poses to the native ecosystem and how to identify this invasive plant before taking to the grounds to remove it.

Participants may proceed either individually or in teams to help with garlic mustard gathering throughout the week, working at their own pace and on their own schedule. There are mustard garlic locations on KVR property to accommodate all ages and abilities; staff can help direct participants to the appropriate place.

Activities will culminate on Earth Day with a day of celebration at KVR, including a weigh-in to see which volunteer removed the most invasive plants over the prior week. The day will also feature poetry reading by winners of KVR’s children’s Earth Day poetry contest, live music, prizes and awards, and a zero-waste potluck meal.

To learn more, visit kickapoovalley.wi.gov, email Kickapoo.valley@krm.state.wi.us, or call 608-625-2960.

Kickapoo Valley Reserve is located at S3661 State Highway 131, La Farge, WI 54639.—Mary Erickson (Source: earthday.org)

The museum is located at 540 5th St., Clear Lake, WI 54005. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/clearlakemuseum or call 715-263-3050.

WANTED: Paying cash for WWII ags, daggers, swords, guns, etc. Also, lever-action ri es. 715-340-1974.

SEPTIC PROBLEMS: Do you have standing water on your drain eld? Have you been told you need a new expensive septic system? I have an alternative that works, also comes with a warranty (no digging). Call toll free 855-797-6072 or email mmtagm@ yahoo.com.

WANTED: OLD BEER CANS AND BOTTLES. Let me know what you have. 715-8289414 Willing to travel. Paying cash.

WANTED: DEER TAGS, BACK TAGS. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, sher, bobcat tags, party permits, old traps. 715255-9284 David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446.

A BOOK FOR SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS. A Senior’s Guide for Living Well and Dying Well – Conversations that matter. Author A. Stuart Hanson, M.D. $19.95. Available at www. itascabooks.com.

WANTED: PEDAL CARS, tractors, trucks, planes, boats, and related items. The older the better. Any condition. Karl 608-482-4783. Leave message.

FOR SALE: RACING HISTORY BOOKS. Hales Corners, Beaver Dam, Cedarburg, Slinger Super Speedway. $15 each plus mailing. Dave 414-430-2142.

WANTED: PORTABLE SAWMILL SERVICE to mill logs near Hatfield, WI. Call Tom 920-843-1349.

FOR SALE: WINCHESTER MODEL 1894 LEVER-ACTION RARE OLD GUN. $3,000 or best o er. 608-864-1607 / 54659.

CHAINSAWS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. Buying 1 or 100 McCulloch, Pioneer, Jonsereds, Echo, STIHL, Homelite, Remington, Mall. Buying all brands and sizes. Non-running, running, siezed, parts. Let me know what you have - will travel. Call Chainsaw Mike at 715-828-9414.

“FEEL-THE-HEAL” Go to Ebay & search Blacksmith Salve”. The most powerful healing salve on the planet.

WHOLESALE - OFFSET PRINTING. Circulars-Envelopes-Postcards. Price list. Send (address label) Iron Age Printing, W4411EC 2-Mile Rd, Neillsville, WI 54456.

OLD MOVIES TO DVD / FD - Pro transferring 8mm, VHS, audio, and all formats. Saving family memories! DVD Productions Gene 715-827-2302.

COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR ANTIQUE OR HAND-MADE LARGE TRAPS. 715563-6658 For sale: smaller trapping traps, lever-action ri es from 1800’s.

AKC REGISTERED ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES. Please call or text for more information. 715-579-2547. Holcombe, Wisconsin.

OWN A PRINT SHOP? Save money on printing. Job out your work. Wholesale price list. $1 & Address labels. Iron Age Printing, W4411EC 2-Mile Rd, Neillsville, WI 54456.

Plants & Shrubs

HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Poplar, Hickory, Milkweed, Brown Eyed Susan Dogwoods, Ninebark, Cranberry, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, Food plot and grafted apple trees too, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072.

MCKAY NURSERY COMPANY - Wisconsin

Grown Since 1897. Provider of quality shade & ornamental trees, fruit & owering trees, evergreens, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and vines. Design services & delivery available. Contact Eric at ezlandscapewi@ gmail.com or call 608-462-3197. “Your McKay Independent Sales & Service Provider.”

Classi ed ads reach more than 152,000 mailboxes. RATES: For non-members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $25 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $1.25 each. For members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $14 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $.70 each. Count name, address, and phone number as part of ad. Please include zip code. FOR PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP, please include your address label from your copy of the magazine. FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS: 2% discount for 3 months; 5% for 6 months; 10% for 12 months. DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the ad is to appear. All classi ed ads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classi eds. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN—Classi eds, Attn. Jennifer, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.

1 Registration Fair—Babcock. Jeremiah’s Crossing, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Calling all current and new students and all current and new volunteers! Register for the 2023 lesson season. The place where horses help students with special needs be all that they can be! Volunteers, bring a friend! For more info, call 715-884-2551.

1 Toy Show and Auction—Tomah. Fairgrounds Recreation Building, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Lunch available and door prizes. Cost: Adults $3, ages 13–17 are $1, and 12 and under are free. For more info, contact DeWitt at 608-344-0150.

1–31 Nature Photography Exhibit—Alma. Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Photographer T. Cooper Hansen. Open Thursday through Sunday every week.

2 Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction— Chippewa Falls. Columbus Association Hall, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Cost: $8 adults; $4 children 5–12; children under 5 eat free. All-youcan-eat menu of pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, coffee, and orange juice. For more info, contact Dawn at 715-944-9381.

15, 16 Twisted Threads Quilt Show— Medford. Simek Recreation Center, Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Over 150 quilt displays including a feature category. Scrap quilts, classes, demos, vendors, and a food court. For more info, email medfordquilts@gmail.com.

15–31 Bloomin’ Greenhouse Tour—Clark County. Various locations, all-day. Annual self-guided tour beginning mid-April of Clark County’s many greenhouses & garden centers. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, grasses, trees, shrubs, hostas, daylilies, fairy garden supplies, garden art, home décor, and so much more! For a brochure call 715-255-9100.

16 Pancake Breakfast—Tigerton. Community Center, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. It’s our annual pancake breakfast! Serving potato and buttermilk pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, applesauce, and desserts.

16 Chicken Que & Bake Sale—Chaseburg. Tippy Toe Inn, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; or until all chicken is gone. Featuring “Best Ever Chicken.” Drive through or eat-in event. Homemade pastries and baked goods will also be available.

22 Karve In 7—Westby. Elementary School, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Award-winning woodcarvers demonstrate, sell, and share their art. Free admission. New this year—chainsaw woodcarving! For info, call 608-634-4396.

23 Spring Buffet—Tigerton. Zion Lutheran Church, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. For more info, call 715-535-2312.

26 Meatball and Maple Syrup Supper—Jim Falls. United Methodist Church, 4:30–7 p.m. Supper includes homemade biscuits. Adults $12 and children $6.

27–29 Book Sale—Onalaska. Public Library, Thu. 12–6 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Thousands of donated and library discarded books, DVDs, magazines, and CDs. Adult, children, fiction, and nonfiction. Most prices $1 or less. Sat. is a bag sale (some exclusions). Cash or check only. For more info, call 608-781-9568.

28 Rummage Sale—Willard. Holy Family Catholic Church, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

28 The Duttons—Reedsburg. CAL Center at Reedsburg Area High School, 7–9 p.m. The Duttons are a performing family of 3 generations that have been recording, performing, and touring together profession-

ally for over 30 years. This is a lively show of pop, gospel, country, and bluegrass music. The CAL Center is an accessible performing arts center with comfortable seating. Visit www.calcenterpresents.org.

28–30 “Spring into the Arts” Tour—Clark County area. Fri. 2–6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; and Sun. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Enjoy a weekend driving along the scenic roads of Clark County and meeting artists in their studios and gathering spots to view and purchase their creations. The tour features painters, potters, woodworkers, metal workers, jewelers, weavers, glass workers, mixed media, and much more. There will be music, shopping, and food. For a brochure, call 715-255-9100.

29 Spring Rummage Sale—Brule. Town Hall, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Cost of admission is a free-will offering. No earlybird purchasing.

29 Brat, Burger, Bake, & Rummage Sale— Willard. Holy Family Catholic Church, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

29, 30 Mane Quilt Show—Nekoosa. High School Lower Gym, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Quilts, demos, trunk shows, classes, vendors, raffles, and a silent auction! JCrossing2911@gmail.com.

Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Due to space limits, we may need to eliminate details, so be sure to include a phone number (with area code) where callers may obtain more info. If we receive more listings than space allows us to print, we reserve the right to select those we believe will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. Please no virtual events. Events can also be mailed to: WECN, Events, 222 W. Washington Ave. Ste. 680, Madison WI 53703-2719

DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the event is to appear.

1. Beckett poses with his new pet, Bob-O, on the family farm. Photo submitted by Sandy Klinke, a member of Clark Electric.

2. Harper meets a calf. Photo submitted by Megan Foster, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric.

3. Bryson smiles as his dog Bailey sticks out her tongue. Photo from Grandma Sue Boettcher, a member of Rock Energy.

4. Fritz enjoys a beautiful fall Wisconsin day with goats. Photo submitted by Elizabeth Boyd, a member of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services.

JUST HOW TALL WILL THAT TREE BE?

If you’re planning to plant a tree for Arbor Day, consider carefully what type of tree to plant and where it would best be planted. Trees should never be planted directly under power lines, near poles, or too close to electrical equipment. Trees with a mature height of greater than 45 feet should be planted at least 15 feet away from power lines.

Source: SafeElectricity.org

photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703. Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned. If in good-resolution, electronic format, photos may also be uploaded via wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. By submitting, sender implies that he/she has rights to and owns the image, and grants WECN permission to use the image. By submitting, the parent or legal guardian also authorizes us the right to publish the image.